UNA-UK issued the following message on 28 February 2025.

The news that the UK Government has chosen to slash aid in order to increase military spending is shocking and disappointing. Despite this government’s stated aims to stand up to support the international system and reset Britain’s relationship with the Global South, they have taken a sledgehammer to their manifesto pledge to return Official Development Assistance to 0.7% of GNI.

This regrettable decision will have devastating consequences, compounding the effects of existing cuts and risks cementing the UK’s retreat from its position as a global leader on development and a champion of the multilateral system. Far from making the UK safer, this short-sighted thinking will only fuel the cycles of violent conflict and climate degradation that thrust communities into desperate need of assistance – we have said time and again that a sustainable future, in which the UK and the world is safer, cannot be achieved at gun point.

We encourage you to act by writing to your MP, asking for the UK to reverse these devastating cuts and urge them instead to reinvest and recommit to our collective global security through supporting global development and multilateralism. Our friends at Rethinking Security have produced this helpful guide on discussing security with your MP.

Despite this challenging context, we look forward to gathering with members and supporters at our conference in April to discuss these global issues and how local initiatives can advocate for UK action and international cooperation.

More information

House of Commons Library: UK to reduce aid to 0.3% of gross national income from 2027